“The Next Big Thing”
Author Debra Suzanne Ingram tagged me to take part in “The next big thing” and answer ten questions about my current work in progress. I hope you'll find it enlightening.
Author Debra Suzanne Ingram tagged me to take part in “The next big thing” and answer ten questions about my current work in progress. I hope you'll find it enlightening.
What is the working title of your next book?
The working title is (and hopefully will remain through publication) 27 Stages.
Where did the idea come from?
While watching the 2009 Tour de France and daydreaming about what went on behind the scenes, wishing I could be a part of that, somehow. When I read an interview with a rider where he described life on a cycling team as being a monastic experience - limited time with family and loved ones, rigid schedules and controlled environments - I wondered about what it would happen if a rider challenged that, or tried to get around that to be with someone. One thing led to another and 27 Stages was born.
What genre does your book fall under?
This one, at the moment, falls under the extremely broad category of "Contemporary Fiction" - it has a little of everything, but focuses on the growing relationship between the male and female lead and also their other relationships, both personal and professional.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is probably one of the first stories I've worked on where I honestly couldn't pin down an actor for each character. A few have had some obvious - or not-so-obvious - actors for their parts (Charles, Jerzy and Rom, for example) but the principal roles of Abby and Federico haven't had actors to portray them on the screen in my head. Yet. I have shared who I've had in mind while writing them, though, in a previous post on this blog.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
A cycling race and an unfaithful husband join two different journeys of self-discovery, where holding back proves to be the best way to get ahead.
Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?
I'm submitting this one to agencies first. If nothing comes of that, I'll be putting it out with Good to Go Press.
How long did it take you to write the first draught of the manuscript?
Three years. It would have been completed in a record nine months, but there were many setbacks in my personal life which prevented me from focusing on the manuscript. Those, combined with the final revisions/publication/problems with Ask Me if I'm Happy over that same time period, created massive delays.
What other books would you compare this story to within the same genre?
I have to be honest and say I haven't yet read any books which might be in the same genre as 27 Stages. I've held off reading any of them while writing the book because I didn't want to unconsciously imitate other writers' styles, nor did I want to read their work (I have a copy of what is supposed to be the greatest cycling novel ever, The Rider by Tim Krabbe) and feel devastatingly inferior.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It really did come from watching the 2009 Tour de France and observing the often antagonistic relationship between the riders on the Astana team - the team politics were fascinating to me. When you read now what was going on between Armstrong and Contador, or what goes on behind-the-scenes of any big race or any team with "superstar" riders, it really is absolutely intriguing.
What else about your book might pique the readers interest?
While the race details are written in a way that even non-fans will be able to follow, 27 Stages is also a love story and a story of self-discovery and personal growth. It has humor and heart and is an engaging read for both men and women. There really is something for just about everyone in it.
And now, I'm tagging this author to share information on her current work-in-progress next Wednesday (that's September 26th):
My wonderful critique partner, Nell Dixon!
And I'm tagging back Debra Suzanne Ingram, too. Thanks for tagging me, Debra!
Ciao for now!
The working title is (and hopefully will remain through publication) 27 Stages.
Where did the idea come from?
While watching the 2009 Tour de France and daydreaming about what went on behind the scenes, wishing I could be a part of that, somehow. When I read an interview with a rider where he described life on a cycling team as being a monastic experience - limited time with family and loved ones, rigid schedules and controlled environments - I wondered about what it would happen if a rider challenged that, or tried to get around that to be with someone. One thing led to another and 27 Stages was born.
What genre does your book fall under?
This one, at the moment, falls under the extremely broad category of "Contemporary Fiction" - it has a little of everything, but focuses on the growing relationship between the male and female lead and also their other relationships, both personal and professional.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is probably one of the first stories I've worked on where I honestly couldn't pin down an actor for each character. A few have had some obvious - or not-so-obvious - actors for their parts (Charles, Jerzy and Rom, for example) but the principal roles of Abby and Federico haven't had actors to portray them on the screen in my head. Yet. I have shared who I've had in mind while writing them, though, in a previous post on this blog.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
A cycling race and an unfaithful husband join two different journeys of self-discovery, where holding back proves to be the best way to get ahead.
Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?
I'm submitting this one to agencies first. If nothing comes of that, I'll be putting it out with Good to Go Press.
How long did it take you to write the first draught of the manuscript?
Three years. It would have been completed in a record nine months, but there were many setbacks in my personal life which prevented me from focusing on the manuscript. Those, combined with the final revisions/publication/problems with Ask Me if I'm Happy over that same time period, created massive delays.
What other books would you compare this story to within the same genre?
I have to be honest and say I haven't yet read any books which might be in the same genre as 27 Stages. I've held off reading any of them while writing the book because I didn't want to unconsciously imitate other writers' styles, nor did I want to read their work (I have a copy of what is supposed to be the greatest cycling novel ever, The Rider by Tim Krabbe) and feel devastatingly inferior.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It really did come from watching the 2009 Tour de France and observing the often antagonistic relationship between the riders on the Astana team - the team politics were fascinating to me. When you read now what was going on between Armstrong and Contador, or what goes on behind-the-scenes of any big race or any team with "superstar" riders, it really is absolutely intriguing.
What else about your book might pique the readers interest?
While the race details are written in a way that even non-fans will be able to follow, 27 Stages is also a love story and a story of self-discovery and personal growth. It has humor and heart and is an engaging read for both men and women. There really is something for just about everyone in it.
And now, I'm tagging this author to share information on her current work-in-progress next Wednesday (that's September 26th):
My wonderful critique partner, Nell Dixon!
And I'm tagging back Debra Suzanne Ingram, too. Thanks for tagging me, Debra!
Ciao for now!
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